About Us

Who are we and what do we offer?

KBCDM is a dance/movement studio that focuses on teaching children and adults of all different ages and abilities. There are three different programs offered including: children, adult, and specialty. We offer a technical and fun learning environment with performing opportunities available.

Our teachers are very knowledgeable and have years of education and experience and a love of what they do.

See teacher's bios below.

Children

Adults

Specialty Classes

A program for a student who wants to continue their training from childhood or someone who is looking to stay fit by participating in an array of movement/dance classes.

KBCDM offers a fun and technical program for children ages 2 years to 18 years old with a variety of classes based on age and ability. The school year culminates with a year end show displaying what children have learned throughout the year.

Classes for children and adults which are focused and or customized to a certain group of people. Individuals that may need an adaptive device due to a cognitive or physical disability to participate in a movement oriented class. All classes are open to the public and integrated. Example :Prenatal Yoga, Baby and Me, Yoga for adults with developmental disabilities, and chair yoga

Our Teachers

Kara (Brislin) Cookinham

Kara a lifelong student and teacher of all movement has worked to realize her dream of owning her own studio. Kara received her Associates of Arts from Dean College and her Bachelors of Science from Springfield College both majoring in Dance. She auditioned and trained in the Summer Intensive Program at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York City. She attended White Mountain Summer Dance Festival in Springfield, MA which concentrated in contemporary dance. Kara has taught for several dance schools and choreographed routines that have won awards throughout MA and NH. She has taught all ages and many different types of movement including: ballet, modern, jazz, acrobatics, zumba, hip hop, cheerleading, stretching/cardio and creative movement. Operating and directing several programs for adults with developmental and physical disabilities and working in the human services field for 15 years enabled Kara to learn to teach movement in a different way. Teaching students who have a developmental or physical disability is a niche and with the extensive training in movement, her compassion and empathy, and the years of experience with the population, Kara is excited to bring her specialty program to the public. Kara completed her RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training under Carrie Tyler and Ann Biese in 2015. She is a member of Yoga Alliance. In order to continue her education, Kara became a Zumbini instructor over the summer in hopes to bring a new and fresh class to the Seacoast area.

Elizabeth Oliveira

Elizabeth started dancing at the age of 3 at Lisa Liston School of Dance in Everett, MA. As a student, Elizabeth competed in many prestigous competitions across New England. In addition to performing and competing Elizabeth also maintained her training and education through master classes and conventions in Massachusetts. Elizabeth was formerly trained in both Vaganova and Cecchetti ballet techniques and has a strength in ballet terminology. Elizabeth became a member of Dance Teacher's Club Of Boston after attending the training program while in high school. While attending Dean College where she received a BA in Dance, Elizabeth became the house manager for all dance and theatre productions and was co-director of the dance team for 2 years. She has taken master classes with the Alvin Ailey American Dance company and studied partnering with Pillobolus II Dance Company. Technique, syncopation, and musicality are personal strengths. A wide array of knowledge of all technical forms of dance makes Elizabeth extremely versatile and able to teach all levels and ages.

Dawn Olson George

Dawn has been a student of technical dance for thirteen years. Her training includes knowledge in jazz, ballet, tap, lyrical, modern, hip-hop, and contemporary. Dawn received training from Jeannette Neill Dance Studio in Boston, MA. In addition to dancing for enjoyment, she has assisted and taught classes in several styles to students of all ages. Dawn has taught and spotted tumbling for many years and it is a personal strength. She has taught middle school language arts for the past 11 years on the Seacoast. She has a bachelor’s degree in literature and writing, a master’s degree in grade 5-12 education, and a certificate of advanced graduate studies in k-12 literacy. Dawn participated in an Adaptive Dance Training for children with cognitive disabilities in 2017 at the Boston Ballet School. For all of her adult life, she has taught children, whether it be in dance or literacy. Dawn gives clear instruction and has a dry sense of humor which makes her an asset in the classroom. Dawn has helped out by substituting at KBCDM for the past 2 years.